rearward

1 of 3

noun

rear·​ward ˈrir-ˌwȯrd 

: rear

especially : the rear division (as of an army)

rearward

2 of 3

adjective

rear·​ward ˈrir-wərd 

1

: located at, near, or toward the rear

2

: directed toward the rear

a rearward glance

rearward

3 of 3

adverb

rear·​ward ˈrir-wərd 

variants or less commonly rearwards

ˈrir-wərdz 

: at, near, or toward the rear : backward

looking rearward

Synonyms

Adjective

• aft
• after
• back
• hind
• hinder
• hindmost
• posterior
• rear

Adverb

• back
• backward
• backwards

Examples of rearward in a Sentence

Adjective

the rearward section of the store

got rearward quarters aboard the ship

Adverb

turned rearward for a moment, just for one final look at the haunting scene

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The top of the Kitchen Cruiser lifts up and rearward to serve as a shelf or extra worktop, exposing the 2.2-kW LPG stove that's included with the kit. —New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2024

By rebalancing weight rearward, the new design allows the Stingray to put almost preposterous power to the pavement without sacrificing the comfort and everyday drivability that buyers demand. —IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2020

Adjective

The dash is bare-bones metal with a few modern touches, such as the nine-inch touchscreen for the Rockford Fosgate audio, and a somewhat gimmicky 12-inch overhead split screen that gives three rearward views from external cameras. —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2024

Most were initially posted to checkpoints and other rearward duties in their native regions, but that changed as the Army hemorrhaged personnel. —Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

Adverb

As do the side vents, and the hood lines that start from the badge and flare outward and rearward, giving the front end more presence. —Sean Evans, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2024

Looking rearward, especially for parking, was a challenge. —Evan Williams, Ars Technica, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rerewarde, from Anglo-French rereguard, rerewarde rear guard

Adjective

rear entry 2 + -ward

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1625, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rearward

1 of 2 adjective

rear·​ward ˈri(ə)r-wərd 

1

: located at, near, or toward the rear

2

: directed toward the rear : backward

rearwardly adverb

rearward

2 of 2 adverb

variants also rearwards

-wərdz

: at, near, or toward the rear : backward